Kitchen Assistant

Douglas County School District; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

HSA

FSA

Life insurance

Disability insurance

EAP

Retirement plan (401k/403(b/457)

Job summary

Douglas County School District in Colorado is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support daily meal preparation and serving across schools, ensuring proper portioning, temperatures, and sanitation. You will assist with menu adherence and HACCP compliance while maintaining safety and quality for students.

The role requires solid teamwork, reliable attendance, and strong customer service skills. Timely service at Timber Trail Elementary with 20 hours weekly is expected, plus benefits like health and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to support positive outcomes.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Maintains a generally positive attitude and adheres to district policies.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily meal preparation, service, and sanitation per HACCP standards.
• Follow recipes, proper portion sizes, and set up/cleanup of serving areas.
• Operate Point of Sale system and reconcile monies daily for accuracy.
• Communicate effectively with staff and students, maintaining confidentiality.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Customer service

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

Job Posting Title: Kitchen Assistant

Job Description: Responsible for providing assistance in the daily preparation of the school lunch program. Develops and promotes good community relations among various community members and school clientele.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, reaching, lifting (including occasional overhead lifting), bending, kneeling, stooping, squatting, climbing, pushing, twisting, and pulling items weighing 40 lbs or less. Standing or walking 95% of the work day
• Occasional climbing and balancing using step stool
• Repetitive motions including lifting, keypad entry, chopping, filling and sealing packaging. Make fast repeated movements of fingers, hands and wrists.
• Use both hands to grasp, grip, move or operate objects or equipment

Position Specific Information (if Applicable)

Responsibilities

Communicates effectively in both written and verbal form, including electronic mail and computers. Maintains confidentiality of all student information. Participate in training to include PGI Classes. May lead training for other kitchen staff members. Must annually complete all USDA Mandatory Professional Standards training hours, as required by position category. Actively pursues upcoming regulatory changes and provides sustainable solutions. Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. Willing to travel to multiple schools based on the needs of sites, if requested. Flexibility in work schedule to meet the demands of the kitchen sites. Assist in the preparation, service, and sale of meals ensuring compliance with department regulations. Preparation of meals can include washing, cleaning, peeling, cutting and chopping fresh fruits, vegetables and meat items. Must follow standard recipe, proper portion sizes and verbal instructions. Assist in the proper set up and cleanup of serving areas for timely service to students, including dishwashing and proper sanitation of work stations. Follows and understands all HACCP standards. Uses all kitchen equipment properly. Cleans equipment properly and follows all safety precautions. Serve meals daily while complying with all school food regulations and ensure health department sanitation standards. This includes ensuring the proper cooking and serving temperatures of foods are taken and recorded as required by HACCP standards. Independently follows menu and recipe instructions. Must produce and understand the regulations regarding preparation, proper food temperatures, appearance and portion sizes. Assists in unloading and proper storage of delivered food items. Learn and Operate Point of Sale system and reconcile monies daily to ensure accuracy. Pursue opportunities to create positive relationships with the surrounding community, including other Nutrition Services staff, school staff, students and parents. Must have a focus on customer service. Must be pleasant, cooperative and able to work with a wide variety of people. Flexibility in learning new concepts, cooperates with others, and adapts to a variety of assignments and conditions.

Certifications

Education: High School or Equivalent

Skills: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to support positive outcomes, Effective oral and written communication skills, Maintains a generally positive attitude, Observes all District policies and procedures, Strong organizational and time management skills, Verbal and written communication skills in English and a demonstrated ability to read and comprehend written/graphic and oral instructions

Additional Position Details

Position Type: Regular

Primary Location: Timber Trail Elementary

One Year Only (Yes or No): No

Scheduled Hours Per Week: 20

FTE: 0.50

Approx Scheduled Days Per Year: 172 Work Days (260 days indicates a year-round position. Time off [or Off-Track Days] are then granted based on the position. Any exceptions to the normal off-track time will be noted in the Additional Position Details section above, as scheduled work days.)

Minimum Hire Rate: $17.39 USD Hourly

Maximum Hire Rate: $22.14 USD Hourly

Full Salary Range: $17.39 USD - $26.89 USD Hourly

All salary amounts listed above are based on a full-time (1.0) FTE. If applicable, part-time salaries will be prorated according to the assigned FTE.

Benefits

This position is eligible for health, vision, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), District paid and voluntary additional (supplemental) life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, critical illness and accident voluntary insurance, employee assistance program (EAP), voluntary 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plan options.

Time Off Plans

This position is eligible for paid sick and personal time.

This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past: November 30, 2026

Proud to Be DCSD - 65 Years of Excellence

A career in Colorado's Douglas County School District is a chance to be part of something incredibly important and fulfilling. Spanning over 850 square miles, Douglas County School District offers a variety of communities ranging from small rural farm towns to large and fast-growing suburban neighborhoods. At the heart of it all is a love and dedication to family and a unity of purpose around ensuring that each and every one of our community’s 61,000+ students receives the education needed to have the brightest future possible. Unity of Purpose DCSD’s Board of Education adopted the following goals for our school district – and our leaders, educators and support staff work diligently to incorporate these values in everything they do.

1. Academic Excellence
2. Outstanding Educators and Staff
3. Safe, Positive Climate and Culture
4. Collaborative Relations with Parents and Community
5. Financial Well-Being

Students Are at the Center of What We Do In Douglas County, we know that working in education is more than a job - it’s a calling. Every day our dedicated team of educators guides our community’s future leaders by encouraging them to ask questions, explore new ideas, and solve problems. Our school leaders and staff put students first in everything they do and work hard to ensure that our educators have the tools they need to provide every student the best education possible.

Every Student is Unique In Douglas County, we understand that no two students are the same. Each has a unique learning style and needs. We also know that students want and deserve multiple options for life after high school. We support all students, whether their goal is to go on to a four-year college, join the military, or directly enter the workforce. We have the programs and know-how to ensure our students are successful in whatever they choose to do after high school.

Every Employee Matters. Every Employee Contributes From our school principals and licensed teachers to our nutrition services staff and bus drivers, all DCSD employees touch the lives of students and every employee contributes to their success.